History Projects and Independent History

[shera]

My ds is on unit 12 in Preparing. We have done maybe 4 or 5 of the history projects. He doesn't seem to enjoy them much. He is not an artsy craftsy kind of kid. Is it okay to skip them or do the skills build up on them? I figure I could force the issue but at this point I would rather not. I'm thinking I could just let him choose if he wants to do them or if I think he should do them. Also, the Independent History box, he enjoys the books but doesn't like to do the drawing or copywork. Again should I insist he do them or maybe just have him do an oral/written narration of them. The book in particular he doesn't enjoy is the Draw and Write through History. I can tell he gives very minimal effort when doing the drawings etc.

Thanks

[pjdobro]

I think the history projects have value as they tie into the history and make it come more to life, but it's up to you to decide how you feel they work for your family. The independent history I feel is more important skill wise because it is helping the dc learn to read their own history and follow directions related to it. I would really try to have him doing that consistently or doing the extensions consistently. The great thing for him since he doesn't like the drawing is that you are almost done with the Draw and Write Through History portion. We are in Unit 14 now and I think my dc are doing the last drawing from that book this week. My dc have really enjoyed this book and are sad to see it ending. They keep asking if they can do another, but I've told them that they can't since the others are used in other guides. I was afraid my ds wouldn't like it since he isn't much on art and drawing, but surprisingly, he has really enjoyed it. I'm sorry your ds hasn't enjoyed it as much my dc have, but I think the point especially of that box is for dc to be taking over some independence in learning in history. So for that reason, I think it is important to do. I suppose it would be possible to have him do oral or written narrations instead to show his understanding of the material. You probably will want to make sure that he is still getting enough written work throughout the rest of the day if you end up eliminating the copywork portion of that box. This is one of the areas where the dc are getting their practice in cursive so if you don't cover it there, you will want to cover it elsewhere.

[LynnH]

I also think the history projects have value in they tie things together and the dc learn to follow directions that can sometimes be complex. As far as the Independent History box I think that is necessary for completing the history picture and for the dc to do their own reading and start making their own connections. My ds has dysgraphia due to Cerebral Palsy and when we did Preparing he didn't like the Draw and Write thru history books because it was challenging. He would get frustrated that it didn't look like the picture. I would let him trace the picture if he wanted. The following year in CTC he decided he would try and follow the step by step directions. There is so much good art instruction in the directions. He was so excited when he did his first one step by step and had something that looked like it was supposed to. Now the Draw and Write thru History books are his favorite part of any week they are used. I have seen his art skills grow by leaps and bounds and he actually now draws in his free time. No one can believe that he can draw the way he can. The copwork was non-negotiable also. I have read enough about the benefits of copywork as far as learning spelling, punctuation, vocabulary that he just has to do it. Yes it is hard for him and no it isn't his favorite part of the day, but I see the benefit of it in our day to day work. His handwriting is much better than the experts ever said it would be. I also think that dc need to learn that no we aren't going to love everything, but there are just some things we have to do.

[my3sons]

I agree with everything the pp's said. My oldest ds has never been an artsy-crafty kiddo. He has learned so much from doing the history projects through the years, and now is quite good at drawing, as well as putting a project together. (This from a child who colored everything black first. ) I also think there is merit in learning that assignments that require skills that are not our strongpoints or not our favorites still must be done. Great prep for college! You may want to come alongside him and help somewhat with the drawings. I know Wyatt needed me to start the "Draw and Write..." sketches for him at first. His perspective of size was entirely off. He had itty-bitty drawings, or HUGE drawings, but none in-between. Sometimes just doing the first step or 2 for him helped him get started right.

I remember when he began the watercolor painting in CTC, I wondered how that would go, as it's not his strength. I remember being so glad he stuck with it through the year... in fact, I had a post about it in the weekly check-in... here it is...I'd stick with the projects. They teach more in their sum total than just what's taught in the individual "projects". HTH!

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In Christ,
Julie